Mason was accused in December of grabbing his wife by the throat during an argument at their Hephzibah home. His mother, daughter, son and an ex-wife are expected to take the stand in his defense, according to court filings.

All Richmond County State Court judges and prosecutors recused themselves to avoid any appearance of a conflict. The 10-member commission approves the budget for State Court.

Larry Mims, the president of the Georgia Council of State Court Judges, appointed Burke County State Court Judge Jerry Daniel to preside over the case.

Sanders’ legal relationship with Mason predates his run for Richmond County sheriff. Sanders helped Ma­son challenge the eligibility of District 4 candidate Keith Brown in 2006, he said.

Now the Republican nominee for sheriff, Sanders said he would like to see the misdemeanor case resolved.

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